Welcome back to 11 Questions presented by Piedmont Natural Gas — a weekly questionnaire series designed for you to get to know the people that make up Greenville Triumph Soccer Club. Each week, our own Marion Cole will ask someone from the organization the same ten questions, but the eleventh question will be from the previous interviewee. With players, coaches, and front office staff involved, we hope to bring you a fun look inside our club!
This week, I’m joined by Greenville’s newest midfielder, Colin Stripling. Colin comes to the Triumph after playing with FC Tucson last season. A New Jersey native, Colin is a graduate of Monmouth University where he scored 15 career goals and was an All-MAAC Second Team selection in 2017.
1. If you had a podcast, what would it be about and why?
I really do not listen to podcasts, actually. But if I had one, I would want it to be a platform to discuss movies. I would bring on influential actors and actresses, or directors, to talk about their roles in featured films and to see what they personally went through in creating the film. I would also give recommendations for which movies I think are worth seeing and which aren’t. I think that movies are special in the sense that, as the audience, we see a movie star represent a character that convinces us that they are real by engaging and allowing us to experience their story. I’ve always found it fascinating because with the amount of money spent on the images and sounds we see and hear, it is exactly what the director wants the audience to absorb so that we can develop an understanding of the message behind the film. My first guest would definitely be Quentin Tarantino. He doesn’t miss when he directs a movie.
What’s your favorite movie that he’s ever directed?
There are so many good ones – Django Unchained, Hateful Eight, Reservoir Dogs – but if I had to pick my favorite movie of his, it would have to be Pulp Fiction.
2. How do you decompress after a long week of work or training?
After a hard week of training I like to find anything that allows me to take a break from the game, physically and mentally. The best way for me to decompress is getting into nature and spending time in the mountains or at the ocean. I find that it’s a good reset button because, for me, it is a pretty humbling experience taking in all that is around you. It’s good way to be present and focused on the now. However, I also really enjoy watching movies and playing video games. To be fair, I might be playing a little too much Call of Duty lately.
3. What’s the most memorable meal you’ve ever had and why?
I’m pretty blessed because I’m having a hard time answering this question. I’ve had some pretty memorable meals so far in my life that I don’t know if I can pick just one. However, to keep the integrity of these 11 questions, I’ll go with a lunch that I had with my family in Zanzibar. Zanzibar is a coral reef island off the coast of Southeast Africa. It was a late afternoon after flying from Tanzania and we were so hungry, which I’m sure influenced the way I thought the food tasted – or maybe the fact that I love seafood. Everything was so fresh, it was still probably swimming earlier that morning. It was absolute paradise. Not only because of the scenery of Stone Town, but because of the company I was sharing it with.
I assume this was a family vacation? Do you travel often or was your family celebrating something special?
My mum works for a nonprofit, and they held their end-of-the-year meeting in Arusha, Tanzania. As a family, we were lucky enough to go and spend time there with her, so I’ll say that we were celebrating my mum! We flew into Mount Kilimanjaro and then drove west to Arusha. Spent 10 days in Tanzania and then another five in Zanzibar. It was such an amazing trip. I’m hoping to go back to Africa soon!
4. What was the most nervous you’ve ever been?
The most nervous I’ve ever been was pursuing a professional soccer career. It took me a full year after graduating school to sign my first professional contract. I heard a lot of “no’s” trying to start my career and it took me to many different places in search for a “yes.” I was nervous because I didn’t know If all the work I was doing was enough to reach my dream, or if I would be lucky enough to find the right situation where I fit into the team. I just kept telling myself to keep working hard and to put in an effort that, at the end of the day, I would be proud of because you can accomplish anything you want. The key is being patient with yourself.
Who was your first “yes?”
Last year, was my first year playing professional soccer with FC Tucson.
5. If you’re up at 2AM on a Saturday night, what are you eating?
First, I have to acknowledge Doug on his answer for this question because he got it right. I’m 100 percent eating Taco Bell. Second, if I am ever up that late, it’s definitely in the offseason so the decision for Taco Bell doesn’t make me feel all that guilty. I tend to eat a decent amount of food, so my order would probably have some Cheesy Gordita Crunches, Quesaritos, Doritos Locos Tacos, and some Cinnabon Delights.
6. What’s something you learned recently that blew your mind?
I actually was on the phone the other day with one of my buddies from back home. We were talking about my move to Greenville and how I’m living in what he referred to as “the country,” now that I’m in the South compared to when I was living in New Jersey. But last year I was geographically more south when I was living in Tucson. So we started taking a look at the map and after looking at the longitude and latitude of cities, I never realized this, but it blew my mind that Atlanta, Georgia is more west than Detroit, Michigan. And that Denver, Colorado is more South than Scotch Plains, New Jersey, which is my hometown. I know, wild stuff right there.
Geographical locations don’t always equate to culture. Do you feel more “South” culturally in Greenville than you did in Tucson?
Both places have much different feels which makes it hard to compare the two different cultures that are tied to each location. Living in Tucson, you’re about 40 minutes from the United States border and you’re living in a desert which is a drastically different from life in Greenville. I’m just fortunate that soccer has allowed me the opportunity to experience them both, and I wouldn’t trade that.
7. Triumph SC announces they’re bringing a celebrity to the next match and wondering if you have enough time to say, “Hello.” Who’s the celebrity you’re most excited to have at a match?
I would have to say if Triumph SC announced that Frank Lampard was going to be at our next match I would be really excited. I’m a big Chelsea FC fan, and I grew up watching Frank Lampard as a player. He’s one of the main reasons I fell in love with the club. He’s scored the most goals as a midfielder in the Premier League, and now that he is the manger for Chelsea Football Club, I would love to be able to say hello and grab a picture with him. Perhaps after the game we can chat and I can pick his brain on his career as a footballer and the transition into becoming a manager.
8. What’s the most memorable sports moment you’ve had as a fan?
Definitely when the Giants won Super Bowl XLII. To this day, it might still be one of the greatest upsets in sports history when The New York Football Giants beat the 18-0 New England Patriots 17-14. That game gave me agida. If you don’t know what that means, that game gave me heartburn. I was so proud to be a fan because my family has had season tickets with the Giants for years. And let’s call a spade a spade: after 1991, the Giants just were not good. Going to game after game as a fan, to continually watch your team lose, it takes a lot out of you. Watching that Super Bowl game with my family in the living room and seeing Eli Manning win his first Super Bowl MVP, and beating undefeated Tom Brady, was mental. People don’t forget.
9. What sporting event have you always wanted to go to and why?
I’ve always wanted to go to a World Cup Final. I think that winning the World Cup is the highest achievement for any footballer. Representing your nation and the people of your country is a great honor. Soccer is the most popular game in the world because it doesn’t matter your culture, your financial background, or the color of your skin, the game unites everyone. Some of my fondest memories of watching soccer are from past World Cups, and I’ve always aspired to reach that level.
Who would part of your ideal Final to watch?
As a United States soccer fan, I have to say ideally the USA against anyone! But I also would enjoy seeing Germany vs Italy because they both are tied with the second most World Cup wins.
10. If you’re part of a PK lineup, what number are you taking your penalty kick?
I’d want to take the four kick. There is a lot of pressure that comes with the fourth spot. Depending if you make or miss your penalty it can either win or continue the shootout. Sometimes the fifth spot doesn’t even need to take a penalty if kickers one through four beat the goalie.
11. Chief Branding Officer, Doug Erwin, wanted me to ask you, “You had a decent number of goals in your college days at Monmouth. Though your first professional goal hasn’t come yet, I’m sure it’s going to soon, and I’m happy it will be with us…So what’s your celebration going to be?”
I want my first professional goal to be here in Greenville! For me, goal celebrations are dependent on the type of goal you score. If you hit a wonder goal in the top bin you’re going to celebrate a bit different as opposed to cleaning up a loose ball in the six yard box. However, a goal is a goal and a celebration is a must. During this pandemic, where our celebrations have to be considerate of our social distancing guidelines, I’d probably knee slide to the corner flag and show a ton of love to the cardboard cut out fans. After all they did pay good money to be there.
Next week, I’m speaking with GTSC’s ESPN+ Play-by-Play announcer, Chris Mackowiak. What would you like me to ask Chris?
Who is your favorite announcer or who do you admire most as a sports broadcaster? Oh, and do you have any pre-game warmups before getting on the call?
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